Children injured in Ukrainian drone strike in southern Russia (PHOTOS)
At least three children have been injured after a Ukrainian drone crashed into a residential building in the southern Russian city of Voronezh early on Thursday morning, according to local authorities.
Voronezh Region Governor Aleksandr Gusev said Russian air defenses detected and destroyed at least five drones over the city and its suburbs overnight, but that one of the UAVs struck the upper floors of a high-rise apartment block on Aivazovsky Street.
“Two boys born in 2009 and 2013 were hospitalized with head injuries and abrasions,” Gusev reported. “A girl born in 2009 sustained cuts to her arms and legs and was treated at the scene.”
Residents reported hearing a loud buzz followed by an explosion at around 3am local time. Eyewitnesses described the drone flying low over rooftops before crashing into the building, causing smoke and dust to pour from the upper floors.
Emergency response crews were dispatched immediately, and authorities have begun arranging temporary shelter for displaced residents of at least four apartments damaged in the incident.
A large impact hole was visible on the 16th floor of the building, and several parked vehicles were damaged by falling debris, according to photos shared on social media.
The strike marks the second drone attack on Voronezh in less than three days. On Tuesday, a larger wave of UAVs injured 24 civilians – including four children – and caused extensive damage to residential and commercial buildings.
Ukraine has been conducting UAV raids deep into Russia for months, often hitting residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure. The Russian government labels Ukraine’s strikes as “terrorist attacks” intentionally targeting civilians.
